Elegant Puff Pastry Berries & Cream Tarts Recipe

Dreamy Berry-Filled Puff Pastry Cream Tarts Recipe

Summer’s golden rays call for a delightful puff pastry berries & cream tarts recipe that promises pure bliss.

Sweet, buttery pastry paired with luscious berries creates an irresistible dessert that melts in your mouth.

Delicate layers of flaky pastry cradle a silky cream filling bursting with vibrant seasonal fruits.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of crisp texture and smooth richness that dances across your palate.

Fresh berries add a bright, tangy contrast to the rich, velvety cream nestled within the golden pastry.

Light, elegant, and incredibly simple to assemble, these tarts turn an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of summer’s sweetest moments.

Grab a fork and dive into this delectable treat that will surely become your new favorite dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 7

Puff Pastry Berries & Cream Tarts Ingredients

For Pastry Base:
  • Puff Pastry: Delicate, buttery foundation creating flaky layers that provide a crisp, elegant canvas for the tart.
  • Egg: Binding agent creating golden, glossy surface with rich color and attractive sheen.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds delightful caramelized crunch and subtle sweetness to pastry edges.
For Cream and Filling:
  • Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious, velvety texture for Chantilly cream with rich, smooth consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream, creating perfect pillowy peaks.
  • Vanilla Extract: Offers warm, aromatic depth enhancing overall cream flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Chips: Creates silky, decadent ganache with intense, smooth chocolate undertones.
For Garnish and Decoration:
  • Raspberries: Vibrant, juicy berries adding bright, tangy freshness and beautiful ruby color.
  • Blueberries: Provides subtle sweetness and deep blue visual contrast.
  • Powdered Sugar: Delicate finishing touch creating elegant, soft white dusting.
  • Chocolate Chips: Reserved for decorative ganache drizzle, adding elegant chocolate accent.

Tools for Crafting Berries & Cream Tarts

  • Rolling Pin: Essential for gently rolling and combining puff pastry sheets.
  • 3-inch Cookie Cutter: Perfectly sizes pastry circles for elegant tart shells.
  • 2-inch Cookie Cutter: Creates a delicate inner border for the pastry shells.
  • Parchment-Lined Baking Sheet: Ensures easy tart removal and prevents sticking.
  • Whisk: Helps create smooth egg wash for golden, glossy pastry.
  • Mixer Bowl: Whips cream to perfect stiff peaks for Chantilly cream.
  • Pastry Bag or Zip-Lock Bag: Pipes cream with professional-looking star tip decoration.
  • Sandwich-Size Zip-Lock Bag: Convenient for drizzling ganache over tarts.
  • Star Tip: Adds beautiful, professional finish to cream piping.

How to Assemble Puff Pastry Berries & Cream Tarts

  • Pastry Preparation

Gently unfold cold puff pastry sheets on a clean surface. Layer them carefully and roll into a smooth rectangular shape. Create delicate circular shells using sharp cookie cutters, making sure to press gently without slicing completely through the dough.

  • Baking Magic

Brush pastry shells with silky egg wash and sprinkle with delicate sugar crystals. Place in a hot oven until golden and puffy, creating crisp, flaky borders that whisper of delightful textures waiting inside.

  • Creamy Dream Filling

Whip heavy cream with sweet sugar and pure vanilla until soft peaks dance elegantly. Melt chocolate into a smooth ganache that glistens like velvet, ready to be drizzled with artistic flair.

  • Artistic Assembly

Gently press down pastry centers to create cozy little nests. Cascade rich chocolate ganache into each shell, then pipe billowy cream with graceful swirls. Crown each tart with plump berries that sparkle like jewels.

  • Final Flourish

Dust tarts with a delicate snow of powdered sugar moments before serving. Chill thoroughly to preserve their elegant structure and allow flavors to mingle and deepen.

Flavor Tips for Fruit and Cream Combos

  • Ensure your puff pastry is cold but pliable when rolling; too warm and it won't rise properly, too cold and it might crack.
  • Swap vanilla extract for almond or lavender extract to create unique flavor profiles that complement the berries and chocolate ganache.
  • Experiment with seasonal berries like strawberries, blackberries, or mixed berry combinations to keep the dessert exciting and fresh throughout the year.
  • Replace dark chocolate chips with white chocolate or milk chocolate ganache for a different flavor dimension that adds richness and variety to the classic recipe.

How to Serve Puff Pastry Tarts Beautifully

  • Elegant Dinner Party Centerpiece: Transform these delightful tarts into a stunning dessert display by arranging them on a vintage cake stand with fresh mint leaves scattered around for a pop of color.
  • Weekend Brunch Showstopper: Create a beautiful brunch spread by pairing these tarts with champagne or fresh mimosas, making them the star of your morning gathering.
  • Romantic Date Night Dessert: Plate these tarts individually on small dessert plates with a drizzle of extra chocolate ganache and a single fresh rose for an intimate, sophisticated touch.
  • Kids' Dessert Adventure: Let children help decorate their own tarts by providing extra berries, chocolate drizzle, and powdered sugar for a fun, interactive dessert experience.

Keeping Berries & Cream Tarts Fresh and Flaky

  • Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep these delightful tarts in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for maximum freshness. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 days, maintaining their crisp pastry and creamy texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare individual components up to 24 hours in advance. Bake pastry shells, whip cream, and create ganache separately, then assemble just before serving to keep everything perfectly crisp and fresh.
  • Freezer-Friendly Tip: Unfilled puff pastry shells can be frozen for up to one month. Stack between parchment paper in a sealed container. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before filling and serving.
  • Portion Control Hack: Create mini tarts by using smaller cookie cutters. These bite-sized treats are perfect for dessert tables, potlucks, or elegant afternoon tea gatherings. Smaller sizes mean more opportunities to enjoy multiple flavors.
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Elegant Puff Pastry Berries & Cream Tarts Recipe

Elegant Puff Pastry Berries & Cream Tarts


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4.8 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Delicate puff pastry berries & cream tarts showcase French pastry elegance with buttery layers and silky cream. Sweet seasonal berries crown these elegant desserts, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 sheets puff pastry
  • 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
  • 120 ml (½ cup) dark or milk chocolate
  • 150 g (1 cup) raspberries
  • 150 g (1 cup) blueberries
  • 1 egg
  • 130 g (⅔ cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream
  • Mint leaves (optional)
  • Powdered sugar
  • Granulated sugar (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

  1. Pastry Preparation: Unfold and layer puff pastry sheets, rolling to 12×16 inches with uniform thickness, avoiding additional flour between layers.
  2. Cutting and Forming: Use 3-inch cookie cutter to create circular shapes on parchment-lined baking sheet, establishing an inner 2-inch circle without complete separation.
  3. Pre-Baking Enhancement: Brush pastry with whisked egg and sprinkle granulated sugar, ensuring a lustrous, crisp exterior.
  4. Baking Process: Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes until dramatically risen and golden-brown, then gently compress centers to create filling reservoirs.
  5. Ganache Creation: Heat cream near boiling, pour over chocolate chips, allowing brief resting before stirring to achieve a glossy, smooth consistency.
  6. Cream Preparation: Whip heavy cream with sugar and vanilla, beating until stiff, voluminous peaks develop, then transfer to a star-tipped piping bag.
  7. Assembly: Coat shell interiors with thin ganache layer, pipe Chantilly cream using elegant swirling techniques, reserving some ganache for decoration.
  8. Fruit Garnishing: Position a raspberry and two blueberries atop each tart, drizzling refined ganache lines for sophisticated presentation.
  9. Final Touches: Dust with powdered sugar moments before serving, chilling tarts to preserve optimal flavor and texture.
  10. Bonus Treat: Transform remaining pastry scraps into miniature confections by baking and adorning with cream and a single raspberry.

Notes

  • Pastry Precision: Roll sheets carefully without flour to maintain delicate layers and prevent toughening the dough.
  • Temperature Control: Ensure oven is fully preheated to 425°F for dramatic pastry rise and golden-brown exterior.
  • Cream Technique: Whip cream at high speed only until stiff peaks form to prevent over-beating and potential separation.
  • Serving Strategy: Chill tarts before serving to set ganache and cream, enhancing structural integrity and flavor cohesion.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 370
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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